03.07.19

PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
18 PASADENA WEEKLY | 03.07.19
SHATTERED ‘GLASS’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
“For me, I love turning scripts on their
heads, but I don’t think it would have been of
service to make this set today or in medieval
times,” says Mahaffy. “The language and
other aspects are very much of 1937. We do
lots of student matinees of our shows for
high school students, and never, ever have
we had the response we have with this show.
“The students are wild, so into it,
because Williams is dealing with universal
themes that everyone can understand,”
adds Mahaffy. “The reason this show has
been successful for 80 years is that it has
intrinsic scenes that affect everyone — the
elderly associate with the memories of it
all, and of the time when you had to live
with your mother and family. Kids love it so
much because the themes are so universal,
like having dreams in high school, problems
with parents, dreams bigger than you are,
or a relationship with a sibling that isn’t
always what you want it to be. Audiences
from young to elderly are leaning forward
into this thing.”
Mahaffy is one of four ANW Resident
Artists in the cast, with Rafael Goldstein
taking on the central role of Tom Wingfield,
who draws upon his memories to serve as
the play’s narrator. Erika Soto rounds out
the leads as Laura, who has allowed herself
to fail in life due to poor self-esteem and a
permanent limp caused by childhood polio.
The production is directed by ANW cofounder
Geoff Elliott, who portrayed Tom
in the ensemble’s 1997 production and is
excited to take the reins of the overall show
this time around. He’s also glad that Strang
has returned to reprise the role of Amanda,
giving her a chance to deliver a deeper and
more age-appropriate turn in the role this
time around.
“’The Glass Menagerie’s’ poetic nature,
Erika Soto and Deborah Strang in The Glass Menagerie
its humor, and its heartbreak make it one of
my favorite plays, and certainly my favorite
Tennessee Williams play,” says Elliott. “The
autobiographical nature of the story and its
alignment to Williams’ own life are fascinating
to me. I have for several years been passionate
about rediscovering the play more
from a director’s perspective than from the
viewpoint of an actor in the cast as I played
Tom Wingfield in our previous production.
“Just as importantly, I want to share Deborah’s
Amanda with audiences,” he continues.
“She was wonderful 20 years ago, but
probably too young. She is now the perfect
age and her sensibilities as an artist and the
life experience she has gained will combine
to give our audiences a very special performance
in this key role. Also, the other three
actors in the production are three of my
favorite performers in the world, so thus far
it has been a joyful experience.”
Even though the times have drastically
changed since the late 1930s setting of “The
Glass Menagerie,” Elliott still believes there
is a lot to take away about human relationships
from the classic work.
“I believe audiences will experience
a deep sense of empathy for the courage,
humor and resolve that the Wingfields
demonstrate in their attempt to support
one another,” notes Elliott. “Their foibles
and missteps are also so very human that I
believe every member of the audience will
see themselves in aspects of these complicated
and conflicted people. It is a play that
will stay with you long after you have exited
the theater.” n
“The Glass Menagerie” runs through April 26 at
A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena.
Tickets are $25 to $77. Call (626) 356-3100 or visit
anoisewithin.org.
PHOTO: Craig Schwartz